12 Best Dog Crates in 2022 – Reviews & Top Picks!

Sometimes, it’s necessary to shut our dogs away, whether this is because of dog-shy guests, traveling, or a calming time out. Crates give your dog a special, safe place to call their own. Proper training can also teach them to see their new bedroom as a place to be calm, helping with hyperactive outbursts—although they’re no substitute for regular exercise.

These reviews are the best dog crates available this year. There are simple designs, like the metal wire crates with dividers, or styles that double as furniture for tight spaces. Hopefully, you’ll find one that will help you match your budget.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2022

The 12 Best Dog Crates

With six sizes available from XS (22 x 13 x 15 inches) to XL (48 x 30 x 32 inches), the Frisco Fold & Carry Double Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate is our best overall dog crate. An included divider panel allows you to expand the size of the crate as your puppy grows, saving you from having to buy an adult-sized crate when they’re fully grown.

This design is collapsible for easy storage and features adjustable handles to make traveling with it easy. It’s also easy to clean with the plastic base pan and no tools are required for the construction.

The metal wire construction isn’t one of the sturdiest options and can bend under pressure, especially if your dog suffers from separation anxiety or gets scared.

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If you travel a lot and need a space for your small dog to stay safe, the Frisco Two Door Top Load Plastic Dog & Cat Kennel can double as a crate and a carrier. As our best dog crate for the money, it comes in 19 or 24 inches with a choice of blue or pink.

The design features a front and top door for easy access, a sturdy carry handle, and the two halves can be stacked inside each other for easy storage. Made from 95% pre-consumer recycled plastic, it’s easy to clean.

Primarily designed as a carrier, this option is too small for larger dog breeds. The plastic construction can be weakened by age and sun exposure and isn’t as durable as metal crates.

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For smaller households with little free space, the Frisco “Broadway” Dog Crate Credenza & Mat Kit doubles as a table. Constructed using wood with steel bars, this dog crate gives your puppy somewhere safe to call their own while allowing you to use the top to store books or other items that might not have a home. It’s easy to assemble and collapsible for times when you need the extra space.

Sold in black or white, the Broadway comes with two crate mats to make your dog’s napping spot as comfortable as possible.

Several owners have complained about the metal bars bending under pressure when their dog chews on them or gets frightened. The Frisco Broadway is also the most expensive item on this list.

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The MidWest iCrate Fold & Carry Single Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate gives you plenty of size options for your dog, whether they’re a small or large breed. With seven sizes available, from XXS to XL, most breed sizes are a good match. It even includes a removable divider panel you can use to slowly expand the crate as your puppy grows, allowing you to keep the same setup for your adult pooch.

An easy-to-clean plastic tray is included and can be kept in the crate even when it’s flat-packed for easy storage or travel. There are no tools required for assembly.

Like other wire crates, the metal can bend under pressure and may not hold up to hyperactive or scared dogs. The included plastic tray has also been known to crack and cause injuries.

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Lightweight to make traveling easy, the EliteField 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate includes locking zippers, a collapsible design, a carry case, and fleece bedding for your puppy. It’s sold in five sizes with a choice between 11 colors to match all personalities and your existing décor.

The nylon and mesh construction, along with the included bedding, are all machine washable to help you keep your puppy’s favorite spot clean from food and water spills or puppy-related accidents. Three doors also give your dog plenty of access points to make introducing their new crate a less daunting sight for canines who aren’t crate trained.

While the construction does include lightweight steel as part of the framework, the general construction is too weak to stand up to overly excited or fearful dogs. Some dogs can figure out how to use the zippers and escape.

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Metal crates can be an eyesore and the sleek, wooden construction of the Merry Products 2-in-1 Configurable Furniture Style Dog Crate & Gate is an aesthetically pleasing alternative. Its multipurpose design doubles as both a crate and a gate so you can give your dog their own space, whether it’s in a small corner or a cordoned-off room. With no tools required for assembly, it’s easy to switch between setups.

The wooden design features steel bars for greater stability, although hyperactive dogs can bend them if they push hard enough. Merry Products is also expensive and there is no locking mechanism to keep the removable lid in place for the crate set up.

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The SP Travel Kennel Dog Carrier gives you an easy way to get your dog on a plane or give them a safe spot to nap in. IATA airline approved, this design includes food and water dishes, live animal stickers, tie-down straps, sturdy metal fastenings, and a built-in moat for spillages. Sold in four sizes for a variety of breeds, the medium, large, and extra-large options also come with removable wheels to allow for easy portability.

Some assembly is required, and the instructions can be difficult to follow. The wheels aren’t lockable and should be removed during longer journeys for safety reasons. SP Travel Kennel is also too small for larger dog breeds.

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Lightweight to make traveling easy, the Frisco Indoor & Outdoor 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog & Small Pet Crate is made with a metal framework and mesh for extra ventilation. The collapsible design and carry handle allow for easy storage and portability when your dog isn’t using it. There are no tools required for assembly.

Containing a water-resistant base and three zippered doors for easy accessibility, it’s suitable for camping trips or home use. It’s also available in five sizes for a range of dog breeds and either green or gray to match your preferences.

Some dogs can figure out how to use the zipper and the design isn’t chew-proof to prevent escapes for canines who can’t open the locked zip. The design itself can be difficult to assemble and isn’t durable enough for long-term use.

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The Merry Products Slide Aside Single Door Furniture Style Dog Crate & End Table doubles as a useful surface to add to your living room décor. Able to hold up to 300 pounds in weight, this end table crate gives your dog a place to call their own while giving you usable space in smaller homes. You can choose whether to have a hinged door or a sliding one and the white or black options allow you to match a variety of home aesthetics.

This Merry Products option isn’t suitable for all dog breeds as it’s only available in one size and might be too big or too small for some dogs. Due to the wooden construction, it isn’t resistant to chewing and isn’t heavy-duty enough to hold hyper or stronger dogs. It’s also difficult to assemble and expensive.

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For families with giant dogs, the Frisco XX-Large Heavy Duty Double Door Wire Dog Crate offers plenty of space for our biggest friends. With the same plastic tray—removable and easy to clean—as other wire crates, this size option keeps your puppy safe, especially when you have guests over who might be intimidated by their size. The front and only door is secured with three latches for extra security and the wire framework has a protective finish.

Along with being expensive, the assembly instructions can be difficult to understand. The crate itself can be damaged during shipping, making it more difficult to put together, and the edges can be sharp in places. It’s also one of the more expensive options on this list.

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Collapsible for easy storage or travel, the Firstrax Noz2Noz Sof-Krate N2 Series 3-Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate is lightweight and washable. All four sizes suit a range of dog breeds from small, medium, medium-large, to large. They feature top, front, and side doors along with heavy-duty zippers for security. The design also includes rounded corners to protect your furniture or walls the crate is pushed up against.

Unlike plastic or metal wire crates, the Firstax isn’t recommended for crate training and is only suitable for dogs who are already familiar with crates. Due to the soft construction, it isn’t heavy-duty enough to withstand escape attempts or chewing. There are also no replacement covers available.

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Our cute toy breeds need a home too and the Petmate Single Door Collapsible Soft-Sided Dog Crate is a collapsible and portable option for our smallest friends. Made with water-resistant, heavy-duty nylon and mesh, the Petmate includes storage pockets for your canine’s essentials whenever you’re on the go. The Petmate is small enough to keep your cat cozy too.

It’s also useful on camping trips outdoors with the climate control window covers and the included ground stakes for extra stability. For particularly messy puppies, the sleeping mat is machine washable.

There’s only one size available and is unsuitable for dogs who aren’t toy breeds. It’s also not heavy-duty enough to contain over-excited dogs or ones who know how to open zippered doors.

Buyer’s Guide – How to Purchase the Best Dog Crate

Among all the things to consider when buying a crate for your dog, there are several things new dog owners might not think of. This section will highlight the most important features for you to remember to keep your dog as safe as possible.

What to Look for in a Dog Crate

Size

The first thing you should consider is the size, shape, and weight of your dog. The crate you choose needs to have enough room to allow your dog to fit comfortably, they won’t enjoy being penned in somewhere too small for them. Consider how big your dog is and make sure there’s plenty of room in the crate for them to lie down, stand up, and turn around.

You can’t get away with just buying a generic large breed crate for small dogs either. While they’ll definitely fit, they’ll need a smaller crate to feel completely safe in their new bedroom. Too much empty space will be just as uncomfortable as too little.

Divider

If you’re short on funds, buying more than one crate can eat into your bank account. They can all be on the expensive side and your new puppy will grow faster than you expect. Dividers are included in many of the metal wire crates you can buy. They allow you to increase the size of the crate as your puppy grows, therefore keeping the same structure for longer.

Removable Tray

Accidents happen and a removable tray will allow you to easily clean up any messes in the crate. Your puppy should never be left in their crate for extended periods though and an easy to clean tray shouldn’t be an excuse to leave your dog locked in all day.

Crate Training

Dogs are naturally wary of new situations. If you’ve never crate trained your dog, they’re going to be cautious about their new den, no matter how comfortable you make it. Crate training is necessary if you want your dog to spend any amount of time in their bedroom. You need to show them the space is somewhere they can be safe, even when the door’s shut.

For this reason, it’s important to consider whether your dog is familiar with crates or not. If they aren’t, choose an option that will allow you to properly crate train them without scaring them away. Crates with multiple doors you can leave open for a few days to let your best friend adjust are a great way to introduce your dog to the new space.

Final Thoughts

A puppy-friendly and simple dog crate is the Frisco Fold & Carry Double Door Collapsible Wire Dog Crate. As our best overall choice, it combines portability with an easy-to-clean structure. Smaller breeds and budgets can benefit from the compact Frisco Two Door Top Load Plastic Dog & Cat Kennel whether you’re traveling or short on space.

These reviews were our 12 choices for the best dog crates for staying at home or on the go. We hope they helped you find one to keep your puppy safe when you’re away or traveling.

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Featured Image Credit: KITSANANAN, Shutterstock